Kevin Allen: Shopping early pays off handsomely for these five NHL teams Some teams have made major splash before the free agent fun begins

Nice to conveniently omit the price Philly paid to add these guys. Stripping your cupboard of picks to "upgrade" from Ghost to Risto was pretty stupid.

OUR prospect pool is deep enough in all areas, defensive, offensive and goal that it really isn't that devastating a loss. Or at least as it would be to YOUR team. And tbh sounds a lot like envy coming from your remarks

@Kooleus

What? Stripping the Cupboard? They gave up a 1st this year, Montreal's 7th and a 2nd next year. Hardly stripping the cupboard

Secondly Ristolainen isnt a ghost replacement. He is Myers' replacement. Ghost was always on the 3rd pair or partnered with Provorov so Ellis or Yandle would be considered their replacements.

Flyers had a hole where Niskanen was, the Flyers used Ghost and Braun in that position, it wasnt a fit. They filled that hole with Ellis so they dumped Ghost to free up space to replace Myers

Philly is making lateral moves at best. Chicago is better and has also completely sabotaged their rebuild. Guess they're following the MIN approach to long term mediocrity.

Kevin Allen: Shopping early pays off handsomely for these five NHL teams
Some teams have made major splash before the free agent fun begins
- Kevin Allen

I would wait and see between V and Atkinson before calling it a gain

So what is Chicago going to do when Fleury doesn't play for them?

So what is Chicago going to do when Fleury doesn't play for them?
- SpacemanSpiff

Probably trade futures they should be using on a rebuild for a rental goalie to possibly make the playoffs as a #7 seed and lose in the first round.

Flyers are better, definitely moved a lot to get to this point. But should be better and give Hart more help.

Winnipeg moves were fantastic, but still have to figure out cap when rounding out forwards and signing Pionk.

What is the cap circumvention in this case? Explain. For Seabrook, this is a wash. Is he gonna play in the playoffs? His $6.8M counts against the cap, so putting him on LTIR washes it away. Isn't that the purpose? Not sure why he was included in the trade in the first place.

@Kooleus

What? Stripping the Cupboard? They gave up a 1st this year, Montreal's 7th and a 2nd next year. Hardly stripping the cupboard

Secondly Ristolainen isnt a ghost replacement. He is Myers' replacement. Ghost was always on the 3rd pair or partnered with Provorov so Ellis or Yandle would be considered their replacements.

Flyers had a hole where Niskanen was, the Flyers used Ghost and Braun in that position, it wasnt a fit. They filled that hole with Ellis so they dumped Ghost to free up space to replace Myers
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You are missing a few pieces moving out for Philly. Let's recap:

In - Ellis, Risto, Atkinson, Yandle
Out - Myers, Patrick, Hagg (3 younger assets), Ghost, Voracek, 2021 1st, 2022 2nd, 2023 2nd (seems like you forgot that one), 2022 7th

Seems like a lot going out the door. Especially when your goalie sucks.

You are missing a few pieces moving out for Philly. Let's recap:

In - Ellis, Risto, Atkinson, Yandle
Out - Myers, Patrick, Hagg (3 younger assets), Ghost, Voracek, 2021 1st, 2022 2nd, 2023 2nd (seems like you forgot that one), 2022 7th

Seems like a lot going out the door. Especially when your goalie sucks.
- Kooleus

Yet you ignore the quality of what left. Younger assets? Hagg's potential is a 3rd pairing D. He was the 7th guy in PHI.

Nolan Patrick? Former 2nd round pick that hasnt panned out and has history with Migraines and Concussions. His ceiling was #2 C. He doesnt appear to be reaching that. He might not even be in the league in a few years.

Ghost is another garbage D. Can QB a PP but other than that is a 3rd pair D. Aside from his one 65 point season he hasnt been good.

Myers is a good young D. His Ceiling is top 4 D. I like Myers but to deal him in a package to get a top pair D is a no brainer.

Voracek is a productive player but he had to go. 8 mill for a 60 point guy is too much. Especially on a guy that doesnt shoot. We need a scorer. Atkinson is a goal scorer.

I missed a pick but its irrelevant. In 2021-2023 the Flyers have 18/21 picks. They are only missing 1 draft pick per season.......

I think Chicago is trying to make the most of what’s left of still top tier talent Kane and what they can manage out of Toews. Let’s not forget DeBrincat and Dach are fine players, among the other decent pieces they have.. Kubalik and such.

You are missing a few pieces moving out for Philly. Let's recap:

In - Ellis, Risto, Atkinson, Yandle
Out - Myers, Patrick, Hagg (3 younger assets), Ghost, Voracek, 2021 1st, 2022 2nd, 2023 2nd (seems like you forgot that one), 2022 7th

Seems like a lot going out the door. Especially when your goalie sucks.
- Kooleus

Philly is better by losing those players. Atkinson is better than Voracek, Ellis much better than Myers, Yandle better than Ghost, Risto... we’ll have to see. Lol.

fix your website.

And possibly Colorado if Grubby doesn't have any options from everyone signing all the other goalies.

You are missing a few pieces moving out for Philly. Let's recap:

In - Ellis, Risto, Atkinson, Yandle
Out - Myers, Patrick, Hagg (3 younger assets), Ghost, Voracek, 2021 1st, 2022 2nd, 2023 2nd (seems like you forgot that one), 2022 7th

Seems like a lot going out the door. Especially when your goalie sucks.
- Kooleus

I'll take quality over quantity any day.

A few teams got better. Most stayed the same.

The only certainty I guess are that Arizona, Buffalo, Detroit and Montreal will be battling for the last spot in the league.